Tragically, a 48-year old man was found dead after telling a friend he was leaving on a snowmobiling trip.
He was last seen on Dec. 15, 2018 around 5 p.m.
It was believed he was near the Clearwater River northeast of Fort McMurray.
Wood Buffalo RCMP along with RCMP Air Services, Regional Emergency Services and Search and Rescue helped during search efforts.
Paul Spring, President of Fort McMurray’s Local HERO says his crew was also dispatched.
“We got the call, that there had been confirmation of an injured snowmobiler laying on the ice out near whitemud falls, and at that time it was a rescue, not a recovery,” said Spring. “Once a HERO was on scene, they couldn’t land right where the patient was so multiple low reconnaissances of the area to see if there was any signs of life were conducted and the crew determined that the individual was likely deceased.”
After getting coordinates and photos of the scene to aid recovery attempts, the work was turned over the RCMP.
Wood Buffalo Victim Services offers assistance to those who require support, call 780-788-4040
On Nov. 13, 2019 the RCMP issued a thin ice warning and on Nov. 21, 2018 they issued a safety reminder for off-highway vehicle operators.
Snowmobilers should wait till the ice is at least 25 centimeters in thickness before going on any bodies on water.
